'Sesame Street' through the years

May 10, 2013 10:46 PM

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Did you watch ''Sesame Street'' in the early years, when Cookie Monster didn't care about healthy eating, and Elmo wasn't around to hog the Muppet limelight?
Here's a look back at the show, which just announced that a ''new neighbor'' is joining HBO. less

Did you watch ''Sesame Street'' in the early years, when Cookie Monster didn't care about healthy eating, and Elmo wasn't around to hog the Muppet limelight?
Here's a look back at the show, which just ... more

Did you watch ''Sesame Street'' in the early... Photo-4611138.62164 - Beaumont Enterprise

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''Sesame Street'' debuted in 1969, introducing preschoolers to ''the letter of the day,'' a busy New York City brownstone, and monsters that dwelled in trash cans and giant nests.
(Pictured is the 1969 cast, L to R: Matt Robinson, Will Lee, Loretta Long and Bob McGrath). less

''Sesame Street'' debuted in 1969, introducing preschoolers to ''the letter of the day,'' a busy New York City brownstone, and monsters that dwelled in trash cans and giant nests.
(Pictured is the 1969 cast, ... more

For years, Snuffleupagus (left), was Big Bird's imaginary friend, whom grown-ups on the show never saw. But when child molestation became a bigger media issue in the '80s, ''Sesame Street'' decided to make Snuffy real. That was to encourage kids to confide in adults, even when they worried their story wouldn't be believed. less

For years, Snuffleupagus (left), was Big Bird's imaginary friend, whom grown-ups on the show never saw. But when child molestation became a bigger media issue in the '80s, ''Sesame Street'' decided to make ... more

Elmo made his main-character debut in 1984, with a distinctive falsetto and habit of speaking in the third person. His popularity soon overshadowed fellow Muppets , in part due to the '90s toy, ''Tickle Me Elmo.'' Elmo is pictured with Jack Black. less

Elmo made his main-character debut in 1984, with a distinctive falsetto and habit of speaking in the third person. His popularity soon overshadowed fellow Muppets , in part due to the '90s toy, ''Tickle Me ... more

Photo: File Photo

Elmo made his main-character debut in 1984, with a distinctive... Photo-4611160.62164 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Elmo's parents were unseen until 2006, when his dad Louie, who's in the military, was deployed. The episode was meant to help kids of military families.

Elmo's parents were unseen until 2006, when his dad Louie, who's in the military, was deployed. The episode was meant to help kids of military families.

Spanish-speaking, long-haired Muppet Rosita debuted in 1991, as ''Sesame Street's'' first regular bilingual Muppet. Full name: Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, which means ''Rosita the monster of the caves.'' She was originally created to be a fruit bat. less

Spanish-speaking, long-haired Muppet Rosita debuted in 1991, as ''Sesame Street's'' first regular bilingual Muppet. Full name: Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, which means ''Rosita the monster of the caves.'' ... more

Zoe, center, was introduced in 1993, to help combat the overwhelming guy-ness of the Muppet crew. She looked a little like Elmo, except that she was orange, had a button nose, and wore barrettes and jewelry.

Zoe, center, was introduced in 1993, to help combat the overwhelming guy-ness of the Muppet crew. She looked a little like Elmo, except that she was orange, had a button nose, and wore barrettes and jewelry.

Kami was the world's first H.I.V.-positive Muppet, making her debut in 2002 on the South African version of ''Sesame Street''. She was part of the show's effort to teach kids about a nation and continent ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. less

Kami was the world's first H.I.V.-positive Muppet, making her debut in 2002 on the South African version of ''Sesame Street''. She was part of the show's effort to teach kids about a nation and continent ... more

Kami was the world's first H.I.V.-positive Muppet, making her... Photo-4611165.62164 - Beaumont Enterprise

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More she-Muppet power arrived in 2006, with Abby Cadabby, a ''fairy-in-training.'' As the girliest, sparkliest Muppet on ''Sesame Street,'' she appealed to the Disney princess-Tinker Bell set.

More she-Muppet power arrived in 2006, with Abby Cadabby, a ''fairy-in-training.'' As the girliest, sparkliest Muppet on ''Sesame Street,'' she appealed to the Disney princess-Tinker Bell set.

Katy Perry proved to be too controversial for ''Sesame Street'' in 2011, after she sang a duet of her song ''Hot N Cold'' with Elmo. Online viewers complained about the lyrics, deemed too racy, and the video was pulled from the TV episode. less

Katy Perry proved to be too controversial for ''Sesame Street'' in 2011, after she sang a duet of her song ''Hot N Cold'' with Elmo. Online viewers complained about the lyrics, deemed too racy, and the video ... more

One of the best things about ''Sesame Street'' is its ability to make rich, powerful people seem down-to-earth. Here's then-First Lady Hilary Clinton speaking at the White House in 1995 with Big Bird on the benefits of public broadcasting. less

One of the best things about ''Sesame Street'' is its ability to make rich, powerful people seem down-to-earth. Here's then-First Lady Hilary Clinton speaking at the White House in 1995 with Big Bird on the ... more

Photo: JAMAL WILSON, AFP/Getty Images

One of the best things about ''Sesame Street''... Photo-4611169.62164 - Beaumont Enterprise

In September, ''Sesame Street'' will debut new neighbor ''Armando,'' played by actor Ismael Cruz Cordova, for its 44th season. Armando is a writer from Puerto Rico who will join the show's other Latino characters, Maria and Luis, and Spanish-speaking Muppets Rosita and Ovejita. less

In September, ''Sesame Street'' will debut new neighbor ''Armando,'' played by actor Ismael Cruz Cordova, for its 44th season. Armando is a writer from Puerto Rico who will join the show's other Latino ... more